Many people are aware that Earth revolves around the Sun each 24 hours. However most people don’t know that the speed at which the Earth rotates is not the same every day. It is possible for a day to appear longer or shorter than you think. The clocks that are atomic, which maintain the standard time, have to be adjusted on a regular basis by adding or subtracting a second. This change is called the leap second. This article will clarify what the leap second is and why it’s crucial to our daily routines.
A typical rotating event is precession. It is the periodic wobble of Earth’s central axis of motion, similar to as a spinny, slightly off-center toy top. The axial direction change relative to fixed stars (inertial space) is a continuous cycle of 25,771.5 years. This is also responsible for the direction of cyclones both in the Northern Hemisphere as well as in the Southern Hemisphere. Other rotating events include free nutation, the Chandler wobble and polar motion.
The rotator’s speed can be affected by other factors such as weather conditions, earthquakes, and other regular events. For instance, if the core of the Earth is rotating faster than its outer layer, the day will appear to be shorter. This change is caused by tides acting on the surface of the Earth and gravitational pulls from other large objects in the Solar System, such as Jupiter and Saturn. This is the reason why Earth’s speed of rotation must be considered when designing fun park rides like Ferris wheels or carousels.
